Control cable mounting for outboard type craft



June 30, 1964 c. H. VOORHEES 3,139,254

CONTROL CABLE MOUNTING FOR OUTBOARD TYPE CRAFT Filed ma 15, 1963 2Sheets-Sheet 1 i I Z! If 1 3 I i E 4/ i if 59 7/ June 30, 1964 c. H.VOORHEES CONTROL. CABLE MOUNTING FOR OUTBOARD TYPE CRAFT 2 Sheets-Sheet2 Filed May 13, 1963 ti /4A! [5 A. Vii/54655 United States Patent3,139,254 CfiNTRQiQ (IAiiLE MOUNTING FUR GUTBOARD TYPE CRAFT Charles H.Voorhees, 1078 E. Santa Anita, Burbank, Calif. Filed May 13, 1963, Ser.No. 27%,875

. 9 Claims. (Cl. 248-74) This invention relates to push/pull controlmountings, and more particularly to an improved mounting for push/pullcontrols for an outboard motor as used in boats.

Existing Bowden-type push/pull controls for outboard motors, and for theoutboard portions of inboard-out board motorboat drive mechanisms, areequipped with mounting devices which frequently cause the control cableto kink or break as the portion of motorboat drive mechanism mounted tothe boat transom is moved between its operative and inoperativepositions. The Bowden-typepush/pull cable comprises a small diametermetal rod with one end connected to the transom mounted portion of themotorboat drive and the other end connected to an actuating mechanismcontrolled by the operator of the boat. The rod is enclosed in aflexible metal sheath extending over substantially the entire length ofthe rod. The rod is movable reciprocally within the sheath. The sheathis secured in a generally fixed position relative to the boat.

Push/pull control mechanisms are presently marketed for use withoutboard engines in which the movablerod is connectable to the outboardmotor, and the end of the sheath adjacent the motor is mountable to thetransom of the boat. The motor is tipped forwardly about a horizontalpivot axis when the underwater portion of the motor encounters asubmerged obstruction or when the boat is beached. The existing clampmechanism does not permit satisfactory movement of the push/pull cableas the engine is tipped forwardly into its inoperative position. Theresult is either that the sheath breaks due to repeated flexing as theengine is moved, or that the rod kinks when the engine is tipped forwardsuddenly on impact with an underwater object.

The present invention provides an improved cable clamp for suchpush/pull cable mountings. The improved clamp permits increased movementof the motor ends of the sheath and the rod with the result that thedeflection curve of the rod and sheath for the retracted position of themotor is improved over the deflection curve produced by the existingdevice. Accordingly, breaking of the sheath or kinking of the push/pullrod is eliminated as the motor is moved between its operative andretracted positions.

Generally speaking, the present invention provides an improved mountingapparatus for a push/pull-type control mechanism for use in motorboats,having a movable drive unit mounted to the transom of the boat andcontrolled in its movement bythe control mechanism. The apparatuscomprises, in combination, a hinge member connectable to the transom anddefining a pivot portion having an axis disposed substantially parallelto the control mechanism. The pivot portion is spaced from the controlmechanismlwhich includes a reciprocal rod and an enveloping sheath. Theapparatus also includes means connected to the sheath secured from axialmovement relative thereto and engaged with the hinge member pivotportion for pivotal movement about the pivot axis. More specifically,the invention resides in an improved trunnion bolt defining the hingemember and comprising a unitary member having a head portion. Anelongated cylindrical shank portion extends from the head portion to anend. The shank portion is externally helically threaded over asubstantial portion of its elongate extent 3,139,254 Patented June 30,1964 "ice from the end toward the head portion. The unitary. member alsoincludes a trunnion portion extending from the head portion and defininga pivot axis. The pivot axis is disposed substantially perpendicular tothe elongate extent of the shank portion,

The above mentioned and other features of the present invention are morefully set forth in the following detailed description of the inventiontaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary top plan view of a typical outboard motorboatwith the gunwale shown broken away;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a push/ pull control cable mountingmechanism according to the prior art;

FIG. 3 is an elevation view of the spindle member illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the intermediate member illustrated in FIG. 2;p

FIG. 5 is an end view of the cable clamp member illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is an end view of the transom engageable mounting memberillustratedin FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is an elevation view of the transom engageable mounting member;

FIG. 8 is a plan view ofthe mounting mechanism according to the presentinvention showing the improved trunnion bolt; I

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary elevation view of the prior art apparatusillustrated in FIG. 2 showing in dashed lines the deflection curve forthe cable when the motor is in its tipped or retracted position; and

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary elevation view of the clamp mechanism accordingto the present invention showing in dotted lines the deflection curve ofthe'cable when the I engine is in its tipped or retracted position.

Throughout the drawings, like numerals indicate like parts.

Referring initiallyto FIG. 1, a portion of a typical outboard motorboat10 is shown; The deck of the boat is broken awayalong the aft starboardgunwale to show the installation of a push/pull motor control mechanism11 connected between an outboard motor 12 mounted to a transom 13 of theboat and a control mechanism actu ator 14 controllable in response torotation of a steering wheel 15. The outboard motor is pivotable about asubstantially vertical axis 16 for maneuvering the boat upon actuationof the controlcable and about a horizontal axis for retracting the motorout of the water. The control cable comprises a flexible metal rod, 17and a spirally wound metal sheath or envelope 18 extending alongsubstantially the entire extent of the rod. Sheath 18 is secured insubstantially fixed position by a cable sheath clamp mechanism 19secured to the transomadjacent the motor; reciprocalrod 17 extendsbeyond the clamp mechanism to the engine at which point it is securedrelative to the engine. The sheath clamp mechanism illustrated in FIGS.1 and 2 is according to the prior art. Element (shown in FIG. 2)comprises a portion of the outboard engine to which the reciprocal rodis connected at a location spaced apart fromclamp mechanism 19.

The foregoing environment of the push/pull control cable is shown forthe purposes of illustration only. It is within the scope ofthe presentinvention that the control cable may be used with the outboard portionof the inboard/outboard motorboat drive. mechanism. In such a case thecontrol rod is connected to the outboard portion of the drive mechanismwhich is mounted to the transom for movement about horizontal andvertical axes similar to the axes of pivotal movement associated withthe conventional outboard motor shown in FIG. 1.

Prior art sheath clamp mechanism 19, over which the present inventionrepresents an improvement, is comprised of a spindle'Ztl, anintermediate member 21, and

a sheath or cable clamp member 22 together with a transom mounting plate23. As shown in FIG. 3, spindle comprises a cylindrical tubular memberhaving a minor exterior diameter portion 24 at its upper end and anenlarged or major diameter portion 25 contiguous with the minor diameterportion and disposed at the lower end of the spindle. An axial bore 26is formed through the extent of the spindle for receiving a pivot pin,such as bolt 27 shown in FIG. 2, defining a pivot axis 27A. The bolt hasits head disposed between the transom mounting plate and the transom andhas its shank extending longitudinally through bore 26 to be securedaxially of the bore by a nut 28 engaged with a washer 29. Intermediatemember 21 of the prior art sheath clamp mechanism is engaged betweenwasher 29 and a shoulder 30 formed between the major and minor diameterportions of the spindle. The transom mounting plate 23, shown moreclearly in FIGS. 6 and 7, has a planar portion 31 having a pair ofspaced apart apertures 32 formed therethrough in order to receive a pairof through bolts 33 engaged therein and passing through transom 13 (asshown in FIG. 2). The planar portion of the mounting plate is therebyclamped securely against the inner or forward face of transom 13adjacent a substantially longitudinally extending bulkhead 34 defining asplash well 35 in the rear of boat 10. The upper extent of the transommounting plate defines an olfset portion 34 and a spindle mountingportion 35 disposed forwardly of planar portion 31 but lyingsubstantially parallel to planar portion 31. An aperture 36 is formedthrough portion 35 for receiving bolt 27.

The intermediate member of the prior art clamping mechanism has a bossportion 38 having an axial bore 39 therethrough.- A pair of parallelspaced apart flanges 40 and 41 extend laterally from boss 39 and thenupwardly parallel to the axis of bore 39 to cantilevered ends. Adjacentthe end of each flange an aperture 42 is provided through each flange inalignment with the aperture in the other flange so that the flangesdefine a portion of a clevis connection mechanism with respect to adepending flange 43 extending from a boss portion 44 of clamp member 22.The common axis of apertures 42 is disposed perpendicular to the axis ofaperture 39 in intermediate member 21. An aperture 45, preferably ofequal diameter with apertures 42 in flanges 40, 41 is formed throughflange 43. Flange 43 is of a thickness such that the flange isengageable between spaced apart flanges 40, 41. The common axis ofapertures 42 is disposed perpendicular to the axis of aperture 39 inintermediate member 21. A clevis pin 48 is engageable with alignedapertures 42, 45 to secure clamp member 22 relative to intermediatemember 21 for pivotal movement between these two parts about an axisdisposed vertically at right angles to horizontal pivot axis 27A definedby pivot pin 27.

The opposite ends of bore 46 are countersunk at a taper to receive seatmembers 49 having complementarily tapered seating faces 50. Each seatmember is engaged circumferentially of sheath 18 of the push/pullcontrol cable at spaced apart locations along the cable with the seatingfaces being disposed opening to one another (see FIG. 2). The controlcable is passed through aperture 46. The seat members cooperate with thecountersunk portions of aperture 46 to secure sleeve 18 in a fixedposition relative to,clamp member 22.

Where a splash well bulkhead 34 is provided in boat 10 the control cableis passed through the bulkhead and then forwardly along the shell of theboat under the gunwale to actuating mechanism 14. Preferably theactuating mechanism is a rack-and-pinion device for initiatingreciprocal movement of rod 17 within sheath or sleeve 18. The sheath issecured in fixed relation to frames 52 of boat 10. A water-tight sealinggrommet 51 is circumferentially engaged with the control cable where thecable. passes through the splash well bulkhead. As illustrated 4 in FIG.2, the clamping mechanism 19 is spaced apart from the splash wellbulkhead between the bulkhead and the movable, transom-mounted portionof the motorboat drive mechanism.

In the prior art control cable clamp mechanism the pivot axis defined bypivot bolt 27 passes horizontally through the control cable at alocation spaced from bulkhead 34. 7

FIG. 8 illustrates an improved control cable mounting apparatus 54according to the present invention which includes an improved trunnionbolt 55. The improved apparatus also includes an intermediate member 21and a cable clamp member 22, as described above. Apparatus 54 iscomprised of a plurality of hinge members.

Trunnion bolt 55 has an elongated cylindrical shank portion 56 extendingfrom a head portion 57 to an end spaced from the head portion. The shankportion is helically threaded along its exterior from the head to its.end. A trunnion portion 58 extends laterally from trunnion bolt head 57and has a cylindrical exterior adapted to be journaled within bore 32 ofintermediate member boss portion 38. An aperture 59 is formed axiallythrough the trunnion portion for receiving a pivot pin in the form of abolt 60 having a head 61 and a shank 62. Bolt 60 defines a pivot axis60A. A washer 63 is disposed between bolt head 61 and the boss portionof "the intermediate member to secure the intermediate member to thetrunnion bolt for pivotal movement about axis 60A. The pivot bolt issecured to trunnion bolt head 57 by a nut and washer engaged with thethreaded end of the shank opposite from intermediate member 21. Shank 56of the improved trunnion bolt is disposed in a hole 65 formedhorizontally through transom 13 in a fore-and-aft direction relative tothe centerline of boat 10 with trunnion portion 58 extendinghorizontally parallel to transom 13. The shank portion is secured inhole 65 by a pair of washer 66 and nut 67 combinations disposed onopposite sides of the transom. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the externaldiameter of trunnion portion 58 is less than the external dimensions ofthe adjacent bolt head such that a shoulder 68, opening toward thecantilevered end of the trunnion portion, is formed in the trunnionbolt. Boss portion 38 of intermediate member 21 abuts this shoulder.

Sheath clamp member 22 is engaged between the intermediate member ofclamp mechanism 54 and the control cable sheath as shown in FIG. 8.

In FIG. 9, line 70 represents the disposition of the centerline of thecontrol cable in the forwardly tipped position of motor 12 when a priorart clamping apparatus 19 is relied upon to secure sheath 18 in a fixedposition relative to motor 12. As the motor is moved into itsinoperative position, that is when the motor is tilted forward, portionof the motor moves downwardly from the position shown in solid linesinto the position represented by centerline 70. Accordingly, the partsof the prior art cable clamping mechanism pivot about axis 27A such thatthe axis of the control cable has a sharply reversely curved portionbetween axis 27A and splash well bulkhead 34. As the motor is repeatedlymoved between its operative andv inoperative conditions, cyclic sharpflexing of the cable is produced. This flexing causes cold working ofeither the sheath or the rod such that either the rod or the sheath mayfracture. Even though fracture may not result directly from movement ofthe motor between its operative and inoperative positions, the fiexingaction may lead to such aweakening of the structural portions of thepush/pull control mechanism that a subsequent sudden load upon the motor(acting either about the horizontal or vertical axes of motion of themotor) may lead to a structural failure. Also, if the motor is in itsoperative position and an underwater object is struck so that rodcoupling element 80 is thrown suddenly downwardly, the control rod maykink and prevent further push/ pull action of the rod relative to sheath18.

In FIG. 10, line 75 represents the position of the centerline of controlrod 17 when the motor is tipped forwardly into its retractedposition. Asseen from FIG. 10, line 75 is smoothly curved without any sharpreversals in curvature. This improved deflection characteristic is aresult of disposing axis 60A parallel to the normalposition of thatportion of the control cable which lies between bulkhead 34 and engine12 and by spacing axis 60A from the control cable. As rod couplingelement 80 is moved downwardly, the intermediate member of clampingmechanism 54' moves about trunnion portion 58 of the improved trunnionbolt such that the movement of the control cable is accommodated withoutsacrificing the fixed position of the end of sheath 18 relative to theoutboard motor. The improved deflection characteristic provided by thepresent invention may also be considered to result from theeliminationvof a pivot axis passing through the control cable. Thisresult is accomplished by means which in efiect combines two elements,previously required by the prior art to be separate, into a singleunitary element, namely: trunnion bolt 55.

A particular advantage inherent in the present invention is that atrunnion bolt according to the present invention may replace spindle 20and mounting plate 23 to obtain all the benefits of clamping mechanism54.

While the foregoing description has been in conjunction with specificapparatus and configurations of apparatus, this has been by way ofexample and illustration only and is not to be considered as limitingthe scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a motorboat having a movable drive unit mounted to the transom ofthe boat and controlled in its movements relative to the transom by apush/pull rod connected to the drive unit and reciprocally movable in anenveloping sheath, improved apparatus for securing the sheath relativeto the transom comprising a first hinge member connectable to thetransom adjacent the drive unit and defining a pivot portion having anaxis disposed substantially parallel to the sheath, the pivot portionbeing spaced from the sheath, and means connected to the sheath securedfrom axial movement relativeto the sheath and engaged with the hingemember pivot portion for pivotal movement about said axis.

2. In a motorboat having a movable drive unit mounted to the transom ofthe boat for movement relative to the transom about horizontal andvertical axes and controlled in its movements relative to the transom bya push/ pull rod connected to the drive unit and extending horizontallytherefrom parallel to the transom and reciprocally movable in anenveloping sheath, improved apparatus for securing the sheath relativeto the transom comprising a first hinge member connectable to thetransom adjacent the drive unit and defining a pivot portion having anaxis disposed substantially parallel to the sheath, the pivot portionbeing spaced from the sheath, and means connected to the sheath securedfrom axial movement relative to the sheath and engaged with the hingemember pivot portion for pivotal movement about said axis, the apparatusaccommodating vertical movement of the sheath and rod when the driveunit is moved about its horizontal axis of movement.

3. In a motorboat having a movable drive unit mounted to the transom ofthe boat and controlled in its movements relative to the transom by apush/pull rod connected to the drive unit and reciprocally movable in anenveloping sheath, improved apparatus for securing the sheath relativeto the transom comprising a first hinge member connectable to thetransom adjacent the drive unit and defining a pivot portion having anaxis disposed substantially parallel to the sheath, the pivot portionbeing spaced from the sheath, and second and third hinge membersconnected between the sheath and the hinge member pivot portion forpivotal movement about said axis, the second and third hinge membersbeing hingeably connected one to another for pivotal movement about asecond pivot axis disposed perpendicularto the first axis intermediatethe first hinge member and'the sheath.

4. Improved apparatus for mounting a sheath of a push/ pull control rodin a boat having a transom and a movable drive unit mounted thereto, thesheath and rod comprising means for controllably moving the drive unitrelative to the transom for steering the boat, the sheath having an enddisposed adjacent the drive unit, the apparatus comprising a membermountable to the transom adjacent the drive unit and adjacent the sheathend, said member defining a hinge portion having an axis disposedsubstantially parallel to the transom and the sheath adjacent the sheathend, and means rotatably engaged with the member hinge portion formovement about said axis and engaged with the sheath adjacentthe endthereof, said means being secured from movement relative to the sheath.

5. An improved mounting apparatus for a push/pull type controlmechanism, the apparatus comprising, in combination, a first memberhaving a laterally extending trunnion portion defining a first pivotaxis, a second member having an axially bored boss portion journalingthe first member trunnion portion for rotational movement about thefirst pivot axis and having a flange extending from the boss portion toan end, the flange having an aperture therethrough adjacent said flangeend concentric to a second pivot axis disposed perpendicular to thefirst pivot axis, a third member having a flange portion and a bossportion having an annular bore therethrough concentric to an axisdisposed substantially parallel to the first pivot axis, and meansengaged in the aperture for coupling the third member to the secondmember for relative movement therebetween about the second pivot axis.

6. An improved mounting apparatus for a push/pull control cable for amovable drive unit secured to the transom of a motorboat, the cableincluding a reciprocal rod and a stationary enveloping sheath, theapparatus comprising, in combination, a first member having a laterallyextending trunnion portion defining a first pivot axis, said memberbeing mounted relative to the transom adjacent the drive unit with theaxis disposed parallel to the transom, a second member having an axiallybored hinge portion journaling the first member trunnion portion forrotational movement about the first pivot axis and having a flangeextending from the boss portion to an end, the flange having an aperturetherethrough adjacent said flange end concentric to a second pivot axisdisposed perpendicular to the first pivot axis and intermediate thefirst axis and the cable, a third member having a flange portion and aboss portion having an annular bore therethrough concentric to an axisdisposed substantially parallel to the first pivot axis, means forsecuring the sheath in the third member bore, and means engaged in theaperture for coupling the third member to the second member for relativemovement therebetween about the second pivot axis.

7. An improved trunnion bolt comprising a unitary member having a headportion, an elongated cylindrical shank portion extending from the headportion to an end, the shank portion being externally helically threadedover a substantialv portion of its elongate extent from the shank endtoward the head portion, and a trunnion portion defining a pivot axisextending from the head portion with the pivot axis disposedsubstantially perpendicular v to the elongate extent of the shankportion.

8. An improved trunnion bolt comprising a unitary member having a headportion, an elongated cylindrical shank portion extending from the headportion to an end, the shank portion being externally helically threadedover a substantial portion of its elongate extent from the shank endtoward the head portion, and a trunnion portion defining a pivot axisextending from the head portion with the pivot axis disposedsubstantially per- 7 pendicular to the elongate extent of the shankportion, the trunnion 'portion and the head portion having an aperturetherethrough concentric to said pivot axis.

9. An improved trunnion bolt comprising a unitary member havinga headportion, an elongated cylindrical shank portion extending from the headportion to an end, the shank portion being externally helically threadedover a substantial portion of its elongate extent from the shank endtoward the head portion, and a cylindrical trunnion portion defining apivot axis extending from the head portion with the pivot axis disposedsubstantially perpen- 8 dicular to the elongate extent of the shankportion, a shoulder formed in the bolt circumferentially of the trunnionportion between the head portion and the trunnion portion, the trunnionportion and the head portion having 5 an aperture therethroughconcentric'to said pivot axis.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

1. IN A MOTORBOAT HAVING A MOVABLE DRIVE UNIT MOUNTED TO THE TRANSOM OFTHE BOAT AND CONTROLLED IN ITS MOVEMENTS RELATIVE TO THE TRANSOM BY APUSH/PULL ROD CONNECTED TO THE DRIVE UNIT AND RECIPROCALLY MOVABLE IN ANENVELOPING SHEATH, IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR SECURING THE SHEATH RELATIVETO THE TRANSOM COMPRISING A FIRST HINGE MEMBER CONNECTABLE TO THETRANSOM ADJACENT THE DRIVE UNIT AND DEFINING A PIVOT PORTION HAVING ANAXIS DISPOSED SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO THE SHEATH, THE PIVOT PORTIONBEING SPACED FROM THE SHEATH, AND MEANS CONNECTED TO THE SHEATH SECUREDFROM AXIAL MOVEMENT RELATIVE TO THE SHEATH AND ENGAGED WITH THE HINGEMEMBER PIVOT PORTION FOR PIVOTAL MOVEMENT ABOUT SAID AXIS.